Dirty Air Poses Significant Health Risk to Britons, Study Suggests

Dirty Air Poses Significant Health Risk to Britons, Study Suggests
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A new study presented at the European Society of Cardiology conference and reported by The Guardian suggests that millions of Britons are at a higher risk of heart failure and stroke due to air pollution. The research, which tracked nearly 300,000 people over a decade, found a clear link between exposure to fine particulate matter and cardiovascular diseases.

According to the study, people living in the most polluted areas are 27% more likely to develop heart failure and 7% more likely to suffer a stroke compared to those in areas with the cleanest air. The research, led by Ghita Housni of Queen Mary University of London, focused on PM2.5, a pollutant so small it can enter the bloodstream. The findings show that for every one microgram increase of PM2.5, the risk of heart failure rises by 7% and stroke risk by 3%.

The article explains that the immune system’s overreaction to inhaled PM2.5 can cause inflammation, which in turn stiffens blood vessels and forces the heart to work harder, ultimately leading to heart failure. While the UK has seen a 30% reduction in PM2.5 since 2015, the levels still exceed the targets set by the World Health Organization. The findings underscore the critical need for public health strategies focused on improving air quality to protect cardiovascular health.